Luke 6:12

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἐγένετο
G1096
it came to pass
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#2
δὲ
G1161
And
but, and, etc
#3
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#4
ταῖς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
ἡμέραις
G2250
days
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
#6
ταύταις
G3778
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#7
ἐξηλθεν
G1831
that he went out
to issue (literally or figuratively)
#8
εἰς
G1519
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#9
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
ὄρος
G3735
a mountain
a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)
#11
προσεύξασθαι
G4336
to pray
to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship
#12
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
ἦν
G2258
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#14
διανυκτερεύων
G1273
continued all night
to sit up the whole night
#15
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#16
τῇ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
προσευχῇ
G4335
prayer
prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
#18
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
θεοῦ
G2316
to God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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